title: Clinical predictors of severe acute pancreatitis: value-adding the view from the end of the bed.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research into clinical determinants of severe acute pancreatitis remains important for therapeutic and preventive purposes. To contribute to prognostication, this study aimed to define clinical risk factors for the development of severe acute pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study design was a prospective cohort study, using multiple logistic regression. From March 2004 to July 2007, 153 cases of acute pancreatitis were recruited in a regional Australian hospital. Data were collected regarding demographic and clinical characteristics. The outcome measure was severe acute pancreatitis, as defined by composite consensus criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for potential confounders, there was a significant positive association with waist circumference and a negative association with current smoking status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study confirms other work suggesting central adiposity as a risk factor for severe acute pancreatitis. The finding of a possible protective effect for smoking may be physiologically plausible but merits further confirmatory research.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McDermott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000150:complications; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065840:Protective Factors; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking
keywords: central obesity; pancreatitis; prognosis; smoking